The Heimskringla on Erling Skakke
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 17. Journey Of Erling Skakke And Earl Ragnvald.
attestation: Erling was the son of Kyrpingaorm and Ragnhild daughter of Sveinke Steinarson, with noble ancestry tracing through Earl Orm, Sigrid, and Earl Hakon the Great.
"The mother of Earl Orm was Ragnhild, a daughter of Earl Hakon the Great."
attestation: Erling married Christina, daughter of King Sigurd the Crusader and Queen Malmfrid, with King Inge's assistance and counsel.
"Erling obtained in marriage Christina, a daughter of King Sigurd the Crusader and Queen Malmfrid."
attestation: Erling and Eindride Unge departed with several lendermen on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, sailing via Orkney where Earl Ragnvald and Bishop William joined with fifteen ships.
"Erling left the country; and with him went Eindride Unge and several lendermen, who had chosen men with them. They intended to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem"
attestation: After Eindride separated with six ships past Norvasund, Erling and Ragnvald with nine ships fought a great dromund, cutting a hole in its hull to board from below.
"Erling laid his ship so close under the dromund, that the missiles of the heathens fell without his ship. Then Erling and his men cut a hole in the dromund, some working below and some above the water-mark; and so they boarded the vessel through it."
attestation: After the journey, Erling was a much greater man due to his exploits, marriage, prudence, and devoted friendship with King Inge.
"Erling Skakke appeared now a much greater man than before, both on account of his journey and of his marriage; besides he was a prudent sensible man, rich, of great family, eloquent, and devoted to King Inge by the strictest friendship"
attestation: Erling possessed a farm at Studla in South Hordaland, establishing his domestic base.
"Erling possessed a farm at Studla in South Hordaland."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 21. Of Harald'S Sons.
- attestation: Erling Skakke was not much respected while his brother Ogmund lived.
"Erling was not much looked up to while Ogmund lived"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 6. Erling'S Speech.
attestation: Erling Skakke called the proposed direct attack foolhardy, arguing that rowing against the current would require one man rowing and another shielding the rower in each half-room, leaving only one-third of men free to fight.
"I call it foolhardy to fight under these circumstances, although we have so many and such fine men. Supposing we make an attack on them, and row up against this river-current; then one of the three men who are in each half room must be employed in rowing only, and another must be covering with the shield the man who rows"
attestation: Erling asked for three days to devise a plan to attack with advantage rather than a direct frontal assault.
"Give me now some time for consideration, and I promise you that before three days are over I shall fall upon some plan by which we can come into battle with advantage."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.
attestation: Erling proposed sending boats and light vessels outside the island and up the east arm of the river to drift downstream and cut Hakon's ships loose from the piles, while large ships attacked from below.
"All the boats and light vessels we have should row outside the island, and up the east arm of the river, and then down with the stream upon them, and try if they cannot cut them loose from the piles. Then we, with the large ships, shall row from below here against them"
attestation: Erling challenged the eager war-party, saying he could not tell until tried whether those now furiously warm would be brisker at the attack than he.
"I cannot tell until it be tried, if those who are now so furiously warm will be much brisker at the attack than I am."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 9. Of King Inge'S Men.
attestation: Erling Skakke agreed that the king should stay out of battle, noting that Hakon's preparations required all their precaution.
"Then Erling Skakke said, "I agree also to the counsel that you, sire, should not go into the battle. It appears to me that their preparations are such, that we require all our precaution not to suffer a great defeat from them""
attestation: Erling reversed his earlier stance, now urging battle to end what he called a robber band that had plundered the whole country.
"now I think the business has altered its appearance, and greatly to our advantage, since they have hauled off from the piles, and now it stands so that I do not dissuade from giving battle"
attestation: Erling praised King Inge as good and just, who had been a shield of defence for the whole people despite manifold perils from his relatives.
"people may cultivate the land in peace, and serve a king so good and just as King Inge who has long had trouble and anxiety from the haughty unquiet spirit of his relations, although he has been a shield of defence for the whole people"
attestation: Many chiefs spoke urging battle; all to the same purpose while they waited for the full fleet to assemble.
"Erling spoke well and long, and many other chiefs also; and all to the same purpose--all urging to battle."
attestation: Erling noted that Hakon's hauling off from the piles had greatly altered the tactical situation to their advantage.
"now I think the business has altered its appearance, and greatly to our advantage, since they have hauled off from the piles"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 10. Beginning Of The Battle.
- attestation: Erling Skakke laid his ship beside Hakon's and ran his stem between Hakon's and Sigurd's ships, beginning the battle.
"Erling Skakke laid his ship beside King Hakon's ship, and ran the stem between his and Sigurd's ship, by which the battle began."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 11. King Hakon'S Flight.
attestation: Erling fought on the forecastle, called his men to board the king's ship, and personally went to the bow until they succeeded in boarding.
"Erling himself was on the forecastle, and called his forecastlemen, and ordered them to board the king's ship; but they answered, this was no easy matter, for there were beams above with an iron comb on them. Then Erling himself went to the bow, and stayed there a while, until they succeeded in getting on board the king's ship"
attestation: After Erling boarded, Hakon's whole army gave way; many sprang into the water, many fell, but most reached land.
"then the ship was cleared of men on the bows, and the whole army gave way. Many sprang into the water, many fell, but the greater number got to the land."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 12. The Conflict Upon The Piers.
- attestation: Erling urged his people to stand by him, saying it would be a disgrace if Viken men trampled them in their native place.
"he proceeded thither with a great force, and exhorted the people to stand by him; saying it would be a great disgrace never to be wiped out, if the Viken people should trample upon them in their own native place."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 1. Of Magnus Erlingson'S Beginning.
attestation: Erling Skakke summoned King Inge's former chiefs, court-men, and Gregorius's house-men to a meeting where they confirmed their unity by oath and handshake.
"he sent a message to all the chiefs who he knew had been steady friends of King Inge, and also to his court-men and his retinue, who had saved themselves by flight, and also to all Gregorius's house-men, and called them together to a meeting."
attestation: Erling proposed making Simon Skalp's son king (through Harald Gille's daughter Maria) with Jon Halkelson as army leader, but Jon refused.
"Erling Skakke first spoke, and inquired if it was the opinion of the chiefs and other men of power that Simon Skalp's son, the son of the daughter of King Harald Gille, should be chosen king, and Jon Halkelson be taken to lead the army; but Jon refused it."
attestation: Erling accepted the dangerous commission, saying it would be his death to serve King Hakon, and demanded all present bind themselves by oath to the confederacy.
""I can say for myself that it would almost be my death to serve King Hakon; and however dangerous it may be, I will rather venture to adopt your advice, and take upon me to lead this force, if that be the will, counsel, and desire of you all""
attestation: Erling warned that history showed most who undertook such great things lost all property and possibly their lives.
"it appears to me altogether uncertain, provided we begin this work, whether he who puts himself at the head of it will gain any honour; or whether matters will go as they have done before when any one undertakes such great things, that he loses all his property and possibly his life."
attestation: Erling asked the other chiefs to prevent opposition or enmity from those present, binding the whole council to the decision.
"he who comes under such an obligation must seek, in every way, to prevent any opposition or enmity from those who are now in this council."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 2. King Magnus Goes To Denmark.
attestation: Erling sailed with ten ships to Denmark, bringing King Magnus, Arne, Queen Ingerid and her sons, Jon Kutiza, and the combined household forces.
"In this expedition were the king's relatives,--Arne; Ingerid, King Inge's mother, with her two sons; besides Jon Kutiza, a son of Sigurd Stork, and Erling's house-men"
attestation: The agreement was confirmed by oath and fixed treaty, then Erling and Magnus departed from Vendilskage.
"This agreement was confirmed by oath and a fixed treaty. Then Erling and King Magnus made themselves ready to leave Denmark, and they sailed out of Vendilskage."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 3. Battle Of Tunsberg.
attestation: Erling sailed to Bergen first, killed Hakon's officer Arne Brigdarskalle, then turned back toward Tunsberg where Hakon was stationed.
"Erling and his fleet came to Agder, and went straight north to Bergen, where they killed Arne Brigdarskalle, King Hakon's officer"
attestation: Erling used a fire-ship strategy: filling a merchant vessel with wood and straw, setting it alight, and driving it toward the town piers on the wind.
"Erling and his fleet were coming up to the town, they took a merchant vessel, filled it with wood and straw, and set fire to it; and the wind blowing right towards the town, drove the vessel against the piers."
attestation: Two boats held the burning ship back on ropes just short of the town to avoid actual arson while the thick smoke blinded the defenders.
"those who were in the boats held back the vessel by the ropes, so that the town could not be set on fire; but so thick a smoke spread from it over the town, that one could not see from the piers"
attestation: Erling drew his whole fleet into position behind the smoke screen and fired arrows at the blinded defenders from concealment.
"Erling drew the whole fleet in where the wind carried the fire, and shot at the enemy."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 4. Of Erling And Hakon.
attestation: Erling took all of Hakon's ships at Tunsberg including the Baekisudin that had belonged to King Inge, and subdued all of Viken and north to Bergen.
"Erling Skakke took all the ships in Tunsberg belonging to King Hakon, and there he also took the Baekisudin which had belonged to King Inge."
attestation: In Bergen, Erling killed Ingebjorn Sipil, Hakon's lenderman of the northern Fjord district, asserting control.
"Erling killed Ingebjorn Sipil, King Hakon's lenderman of the north part of the Fjord district."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 5. Of Erling'S People.
attestation: Erling banned all merchant ships from sailing north to Nidaros to prevent King Hakon from receiving intelligence, arguing Bergen benefited from keeping the goods.
"Erling was in Bergen with a great armament, and resolved to lay a sailing prohibition on all the merchant vessels which were going north to Nidaros; for he knew that King Hakon would soon get tidings of him, if ships were sailing between the towns."
attestation: Erling staged a deception: he laid ships ashore and spread reports he would wait in Bergen, then one day suddenly released all merchant ships at once.
"Erling let some of the lightest of his vessels be laid ashore, and spread the report that he would wait for Hakon"
attestation: The merchants brought Hakon only the old news that Erling had laid ships up in Bergen and had a large force, creating a false sense of security.
"they heard, as the latest news, that Erling Skakke had laid his ships up in Bergen, and there they would find him; and also that he had a large force with him."
attestation: On Sunday Erling gave leave to the merchants; by Tuesday morning after early mass he sounded war-horns, appointed ship commanders, and marshaled his force.
"on Tuesday, as soon as the early mass was over, he ordered the warhorns to sound, summoned to him the men-at-arms and the townsmen, and let the ships which were laid up on shore be drawn down into the water."
attestation: Erling threatened that anyone remaining in Bergen after the Baekisudin was hauled out would be punished by loss of life or limb.
"declared that he who remained in the town after the Baekisudin was hauled out, should be punished by loss of life or limb."
attestation: Erling's strategy of deceptive immobility followed by sudden departure was designed to catch Hakon's dispersed forces off guard.
"Erling had given leave on Sunday to all the merchant vessels to leave Bergen; and on Tuesday, as soon as the early mass was over, he ordered the warhorns to sound"
attestation: Erling argued to the merchants that it was better for Bergen to get their goods cheaply than for them to fall into enemy hands.
"it was better for Bergen to get the goods, even if the owners were obliged to sell them cheaper than they wished than that they should fall into the hands of enemies"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 6. Of Erling Skakke.
attestation: On Wednesday, Erling sailed from Bergen with twenty-one ships including many lendermen and fine men, bringing his son King Magnus.
"Erling sailed from Bergen with all his fleet, consisting of twenty-one ships; and there was a fresh breeze for sailing northwards along the coast."
attestation: Two men arrived in a boat rowing desperately, not even bothering to belay, and reported Erling was coming from the south with about twenty-one ships.
""Here comes Erling against you, sailing from the south, with twenty-one ships, or thereabouts, of which many are great enough; and now ye will soon see their sails.""
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Fall Of King Hakon.
attestation: Erling sent word that he had no objection to giving Hakon life and safety if the other chiefs agreed, earning great credit from the forecastle-men.
"He at the same time let it be understood that he had no objection to giving the king life and safety, if the other chiefs were willing, and a peace could be established."
attestation: But Erling then ordered a renewed assault on the remaining ships, urging his men they would never have such another opportunity to avenge King Inge.
"Erling ordered anew a blast of the war-horns, and that the ships should be attacked which had not lost their men; saying that they would never have such another opportunity of avenging King Inge."
attestation: Erling's men exploited the unprotected bodies of Hakon's shieldless fighters, and most who remained fell, with Sigurd Kapa, Sigurd Hiupa, and Ragnvald Kunta among the dead.
"Erling's men saw the unprotected parts of their bodies, and where their blows would have effect. The following of Hakon's people fell: Sigurd Kapa, Sigurd Hiupa, and Ragnvald Kunta"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 8. Flight Of The Chiefs Of Hakon'S Men.
- attestation: Erling sailed north to Nidaros, proclaimed Magnus king of all Norway at an Eyra-thing, but stayed only briefly since the Throndhjem people seemed unfriendly.
"Erling called together an Eyra-thing, at which King Magnus was proclaimed king of all Norway. Erling, however, remained there but a short time; for he thought the Throndhjem people were not well affected towards him and his son."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 9. Of King Sigurd'S Beginning.
- attestation: Erling kept Magnus always with him, controlling the entire fleet and land defense, wintering in Tunsberg and collecting all royal revenues.
"Erling Skakke had his son King Magnus always with him, and he had also the whole fleet and the land defence under him. He was a while in Bergen in autumn; but went from thence eastward to Viken, where he settled in Tunsberg for his winter quarters"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 10. Earl Sigurd'S Condemnation.
attestation: Erling maintained a guard in the town with twelve men on watch every night and held regular Things with the bondes.
"Erling kept a guard in the town, and twelve men were on watch every night. Erling had Things regularly with the bondes"
attestation: Erling held a feast at Yule in Tunsberg and paid the men-at-arms' wages at Candlemas.
"Erling gave a feast at Yule in Tunsberg, and paid the wages of the men-at-arms at Candlemas."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 12. Erling Gets News Of Earl Sigurd.
attestation: At the beginning of Lent, Erling received news that Earl Sigurd intended to attack him.
"It was in the beginning of Lent that news came to Erling that Earl Sigurd intended to come upon him"
attestation: Erling assembled all men-at-arms by war-horn each evening and kept them under arms all night throughout much of winter.
"Every evening he assembled all the men-at-arms by the war-horn out of the town; and for a long time in the winter they lay under arms all night, ready to be drawn up in array."
attestation: Erling learned that Sigurd and his followers were at the farm Re, at a house called Rafnnes.
"Erling got intelligence that Sigurd and his followers were not far distant, up at the farm Re."
attestation: Erling marched out of town on Thursday afternoon in the second week of Lent (February 19) with about 1200 men, each carrying two days' provisions.
"Erling went out of the town on Thursday afternoon, in the second week of Lent (February 19); and every man had two days' provisions with him."
attestation: Erling's force numbered about 1200 men, while Sigurd had only 500 men at Rafnnes.
"the people, when mustered, were about 1200 men. When they met their spies, they were informed that Sigurd was at Re, in a house called Rafnnes, and had 500 men."
attestation: Erling took all townspeople able to carry arms, including merchants, leaving only twelve men to keep watch in the town.
"Erling then began his expedition out of the town, and took with him all the towns-people who were able to carry arms and had arms, and likewise all the merchants; and left only twelve men behind to keep watch in the town."
attribution: Erling's men wanted to attack by night, but Erling refused, calling night attacks villainy and the method of those who use witchcraft.
"it stands in our laws and country rights, that however highly a man may have been guilty, it shall be called villainy and cowardly murder to kill him in the night."
attribution: Erling attributed Earl Sigurd's previous victories to following counsellors acquainted with witchcraft and fighting by night.
"This band has had its luck hitherto by following the counsel of men acquainted with witchcraft and fighting by night, and not in the light of day"
attribution: Erling chose to wait for daylight and fight in regular battle array rather than steal upon sleeping men.
"let us rather have before our eyes the example of chiefs better known to us, and who deserve better to be imitated, and fight by open day in regular battle array, and not steal upon sleeping men in the night."
attestation: Two men accompanied each shield and horse during the march.
"Two men were with each shield and each horse"
attestation: The army waited for dawn in raw weather with wet snowdrift, some making beds from hay and others sitting on their shields.
"Some opened up bundles of hay, and made a bed of it for themselves; some sat upon their shields, and thus waited the daydawn. The weather was raw, and there was a wet snowdrift."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. Earl Sigurd'S Fall.
attestation: Erling redirected his army upstream to cross the river at flat banks rather than using the bridge.
"Erling told them to go up along the river, which was small, and not difficult to cross, as its banks were flat; and they did so."
attestation: Before battle, Erling ordered his men to sing the Paternoster and beg God to grant victory to the more deserving side.
"Erling told his men to sing a Paternoster, and beg God to give them the victory who best deserved it."
attestation: Three hundred of Erling's men deserted and fled when they sang 'Kyrie Eleison' and struck their weapons on their shields.
"Then they all sang aloud "Kyrie Eleison", and struck with their weapons on their shields. But with this singing 300 men of Erling's people slipped away and fled."
attestation: When Erling found Earl Sigurd's body still alive while slaves were stripping it, he struck the slaves with Sigurd's sword and drove them away.
"He came just as the king's slaves were about stripping the clothes off Earl Sigurd, who was not quite lifeless. He had put his sword in the sheath, and it lay by his side. Erling took it, struck the slaves with it, and drove them away."
attestation: Seven days after Earl Sigurd's fall, Erling's men captured and killed Eindride Unge and all his ship's crew.
"Seven days after Earl Sigurd's fall Erling's men took Eindride Unge prisoner, and killed him, with all his ship's crew."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 15. Markus Of Skog, And Sigurd Sigurdson.
attestation: Erling pursued them eastward and they clashed at Konungahella, where Markus fled to the island of Hising.
"when Erling heard it he went eastwards against them, and they met at Konungahella. Markus fled with his followers to the island Hising"
attribution: Erling refused to fight the Hising country people on land, calling them hard and without understanding, and instead seized their ships.
"The Hisingers are a bad set to quarrel with,--hard, and without understanding. They will keep this troop but a little while among them, for Hising is but a small spot."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 18. Markus And King Sigurd Killed.
attestation: Erling Skakke rushed to Viken upon hearing Sigurd and Markus had sailed south, assembling a great force of men and ships.
"As soon as Erling Skakke heard that Sigurd and Markus had sailed southwards, he hastened to Viken, and drew together an armed force; and he soon had a great many men, and many stout ships."
attestation: A strong contrary wind trapped Erling in port throughout the whole summer.
"when he came farther in Viken, he met with a strong contrary wind, which kept him there in port the whole summer."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 19. Erling And The People Of Hising Isle.
attestation: Erling sailed to Konungahella and in the first week of winter went to Hising island to hold a Thing against the bondes for supporting Sigurd and Markus.
"Erling sailed to Konungahella, where he remained the autumn; and in the first week of winter Erling went out to the island Hising with his men, and called the bondes to a Thing."
attestation: Erling condemned the Hising bondes to pay 300 head of cattle as penalty.
"he condemned them to pay a penalty of 300 head of cattle"
attestation: When the bondes refused to pay, Erling attacked on the night after the fifth day of Yule, burning Assur in his house and killing one hundred men total.
"The night after the fifth day of Yule Erling went up to Hising, surrounded Assur's house, and burnt him in it. He killed one hundred men in all, burnt three houses, and then returned to Konungahella."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 20. Death Of Frirek Keina And Bjarne.
attestation: Erling sailed from Konungahella in spring to pursue Markus's former allies who were marauding in northern Viken.
"Erling Skakke made ready to sail in spring as soon as he could get his ships afloat for ice, and sailed from Konungahella; for he heard that those who had formerly been Markus's friends were marauding in the north of Viken."
attestation: Erling had Frirek Keina bound to an anchor and thrown overboard, a deed that made Erling greatly detested in the Throndhjem country.
"Erling had Frirek bound to an anchor and thrown overboard; and for that deed Erling was much detested in the Throndhjem country, for the most powerful men there were relatives of Frirek."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 21. Conference Between Erling And Eystein.
attestation: Erling stayed in Tunsberg in spring 1164, then proceeded north to Bergen in summer.
"Erling Skakke sailed after this to Tunsberg, and remained there very long in spring (A.D. 1164); but when summer came he proceeded north to Bergen"
attribution: Erling confronted Eystein about having raised the value of the ore upon the Throndhjem people in law cases.
"Is it true, sir, what people tell me, that you have raised the value of the ore upon the people north in Throndhjem, in the law cases in which money-fees are paid you?"
attribution: Erling pressed Eystein to help augment the king's right in return for the archbishop's own augmented rights.
"If you augment your right, you must assist us to augment as much the king's right."
attribution: Erling reminded Eystein that Magnus was chosen king with the knowledge and consent of all bishops.
"When Magnus was chosen king, it was done with your knowledge and consent, and also of all the other bishops here in the country."
attribution: Erling proposed they stop mutual accusations and hold to their agreement: Eystein strengthens Magnus's dominion, Erling strengthens Eystein's power.
"Do you strengthen Magnus in his dominion, according to what you have promised; and I will, on my part, strengthen your power in all that can be of advantage or honour."
attribution: Erling asked Eystein to consecrate Magnus as king according to God's law, arguing that once anointed, no man could take royalty from him.
"yet can you with your power give him consecration as king, as God's law prescribes, by anointing the king to sovereignty"
attribution: Erling cited William the Bastard as precedent: though not a king's son, he was consecrated and crowned king of England, and royalty remained with his line ever since.
"William Bastard was not a king's son; but he was consecrated and crowned king of England, and the royalty in England has ever since remained with his race, and all have been crowned."
attribution: Erling also cited Svein Ulfson of Denmark, who was not a king's son but was a crowned king, as were all his descendants.
"Svein Ulfson was not a king's son in Denmark, and still he was a crowned king, and his sons likewise, and all his descendants have been crowned kings."
attribution: Erling argued Norway should have a crowned king like Denmark and England, now that it had an archiepiscopal seat.
"Now we have here in Norway an archiepiscopal seat, to the glory and honour of the country; let us also have a crowned king, as well as the Danes and Englishmen."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 22. King Magnus'S Consecration.
attestation: Erling Skakke prepared a great feast in the king's house, with the large hall adorned with costly cloth and tapestry.
"Erling Skakke then had a great feast prepared in the king's house. The large hall was covered with costly cloth and tapestry, and adorned with great expense."
attestation: Erling Skakke and twelve other lendermen administered the oath of the law to the king at his consecration.
"Erling Skakke, and with him twelve other lendermen, administered to the king the oath of the law"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 23. King Valdemar'S Embassy.
attestation: Erling's advisors unanimously refused to cede any part of Norway to the Danes, declaring things were never worse than when Danes held power.
"All, as one man, replied that the Danes should never hold the slightest portion of Norway; for never had things been worse in the land than when the Danes had power in it."
attestation: Erling asked the Danish ambassadors to accompany him to Viken, promising a final answer after consulting with influential men there.
"Erling begged them to proceed with him east to Viken, and said he would give his final answer when he had met with the men of most understanding and influence in Viken."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 24. Erling And The People Of Viken.
attestation: Erling summoned a Thing of four districts at Sarpsborg from his base in Tunsberg.
"Erling Skakke proceeded in autumn to Viken, and stayed in Tunsberg, from whence he sent people to Sarpsborg to summon a Thing (1) of four districts"
attribution: Erling presented the Danish king's demands to the Viken bondes, offering them the choice of serving the Danish king or their own consecrated and crowned king.
"I will," said Erling, "keep faithfully the agreement which we then entered into with the king, if it be your will and consent, bondes, rather to serve the Danish king than the king who is now consecrated and crowned king of this country."
attestation: Erling returned to Bergen for winter and paid his men their wages.
"Erling returned in autumn north to Bergen, stayed there all winter, and gave their pay to his people."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 25. Letters Of The Throndhjem People.
attestation: Reports reached Erling that the Throndhjem people were openly hostile and had declared he would never pass Agdanes alive.
"the Throndhjem people were in hostility openly against him; and had declared that if Erling came to Throndhjem, he should never pass Agdanes in life."
attribution: Erling dismissed the threats as folly and idle talk, and prepared to sail north with a cutter and boat.
"Erling said this was mere folly and idle talk."
attribution: Despite his men's reluctance to row against a strong southerly gale, Erling ordered sails raised and sailed north past Agdanes, arriving Wednesday evening.
"since ye are so unwilling to row against the wind, raise the mast, hoist the sails, and let the ship go north." They did so, and sailed northwards both day and night. On Wednesday, in the evening, they sailed in past Agdanes"
attestation: Erling's ships arrived unnoticed among the fleet of merchant vessels heading to town for the festival celebration.
"they found a fleet assembled of many merchant vessels, rowing craft, and boats, all going towards the town to the celebration of the festival,--some before them, some behind them--so that the townspeople paid no attention to the long-ships coming."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 26. Erling And The People Of Throndhjem.
attestation: Erling arrived at the town during vespers at Christ church and immediately attacked the lenderman Alf Rode, son of Ottar Birting, killing him and almost all his men.
"Erling came to the town just as vespers was being sung in Christ church. He and his men ran into the town, to where it was told them that the lenderman, Alf Rode, a son of Ottar Birting, was still sitting at table, and drinking with his men. Erling fell upon them; and Alf was killed, with almost all his men."
attestation: Few others were killed because most townspeople had gone to church on the night before Christ's Ascension-day.
"Few other men were killed; for they had almost all gone to church, as this was the night before Christ's Ascension-day."
attestation: The next morning Erling called a Thing on Evrar and accused the Throndhjem people of treasonous intent to betray the country to Denmark.
"In the morning early, Erling called all the people by sound of trumpet to a Thing out upon Evrar. At the Thing Erling laid a charge against the Throndhjem people, accusing them of intending to betray the country, and take it from the king"
attestation: Erling named Bard Standale, Pal Andreason, and Razabard as conspirators who had presided over the town's affairs.
"named Bard Standale, Pal Andreason, and Razabard, who then presided over the town's affairs"
attestation: Erling's writer produced sealed letters proving the accused had communicated with the Danish king, and a Danish informant recounted each man's exact words.
"Erling's writer stood up, produced many letters with seals, and asked if they acknowledged their seals which they had sent to the Danish king; and thereupon the letters were read."
attestation: Erling exacted great sums as fines and declared the killed men's deaths free from compensation.
"He took great sums of money from many as fines, and condemned all those who had been killed as lawless, and their deeds as lawless; making their deaths thereby not subject to mulct."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 28. Erling'S Expedition To Jutland.
attestation: Erling ordered a general levy of men and ships upon hearing of the Danish incursion into Viken.
"As soon as Erling heard that a Danish force had come to Viken, he ordered a levy through all the land, both of men and ships, so that there was a great assemblage of men in arms"
attestation: At Lidandisnes, Erling learned the Danish army had already returned south, so he dismissed the levy and sailed to Jutland with some lendermen.
"when he came to Lidandisnes, he heard that the Danish army had returned south to Denmark, after plundering all around them in Viken. Then Erling gave all the people of the levy permission to return home; but he himself and some lendermen, with many vessels, sailed to Jutland after the Danes."
attestation: Erling attacked the Danes at a place called Dyrsa, defeating them quickly and plundering their ships and town.
"When they came to a place called Dyrsa, the Danes who had returned from the expedition lay there with many ships. Erling gave them battle, and there was a fight, in which the Danes soon fled with the loss of many people; and Erling and his men plundered the ships and the town, and made a great booty"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 34. Battle At Stangar.
- attestation: Erling won the battle at Stangar, where Sigurd Agnhot and many of Olaf's men fell.
"where they had a great battle, in which Erling was victorious. Sigurd Agnhot, and many others of Olaf's men, fell there"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 35. Harald'S Death.
attestation: Erling's custom was to speak gently to enemies he intended to kill and furiously to those he would spare.
"It was Erling's custom when his enemies came before him, that he either said nothing to them, or very little, and that in all gentleness, when he had determined to put them to death; or rose with furious words against them, when he intended to spare their lives."
attestation: Erling spoke gently to Harald, which many took as a sign he meant to kill him, and some urged King Magnus to intercede.
"Erling spoke but little to Harald, and many, therefore, suspected his intentions; and some begged King Magnus to put in a good word for Harald with the earl"
attribution: Erling rejected Magnus's plea for mercy, warning that following the heart's counsel would give Magnus only a short peaceful reign.
"Thy friends advise thee badly. Thou wouldst govern this kingdom but a short time in peace and safety, if thou wert to follow the counsels of the heart only."
attestation: Harald was taken to Nordnes and beheaded on Erling's orders.
"Earl Erling ordered Harald to be taken to Nordnes, where he was beheaded."
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 37. Birkebeins, King Eystein, And Skakke.
attestation: Earl Erling was a man of great understanding and power, an excellent war leader, but characterized as cruel and severe for never allowing enemies to remain in the country.
"Earl Erling was a man of great understanding and power, an excellent leader in war, and an able and prudent ruler of the country; but he had the character of being cruel and severe. The cause of this was principally that he never allowed his enemies to remain in the country, even when they prayed to him for mercy"
attestation: Erling was tall and strong-made, somewhat short-necked and high-shouldered, with a long sharp face, light complexion, and very grey hair; he carried his head slightly to one side.
"Erling was a tall strong-made man, somewhat short-necked and high-shouldered; had a long and sharp countenance of a light complexion, and his hair became very grey. He bore his head a little on one side"
attestation: Erling wore old-fashioned clothing with long body-pieces, long-armed coats, foreign cloak, and high shoes, and made the young king dress the same way.
"He wore the old fashion of clothes,--long body-pieces and long arms to his coats, foreign cloak, and high shoes. He made the king wear the same kind of dress in his youth"